Charity to attend Kilkhampton Village Fete and offer Guided Walk of Kilkhampton Common

Spring has certainly sprung and as summer approaches the common is alive with wildlife and the trees are once again in leaf. It’s an enjoyable place to visit at any time of year but when everything is flourishing and the weather is fine, the common is a natural haven to escape to. If you need any more reason to visit, be sure to take a camera as ‘Kilkhampton Common’ is the theme for this year’s photo competition at the Kilk Fete, which takes place on 1st July and the charity will be attending. We will also be running two guided walks of Kilkhampton Common during June.

The village fete and a guided walk of the common

If you want to discover more about Kilkhampton Common and the charity, Westland Countryside Stewards, we will have a table at the Fete. There will also be two guided walks along the common on Saturday 10th June @ 11 am to 12.30 pm (bring a picnic) and Friday 16th June 6 pm- 7.30 pm. The walk will begin at Westland Barton car park in West Street, EX23 9QW.

If you are interested in attending, please contact us or visit our Eventbrite page. Remember to bring your camera!

More about Kilkhampton Common

Kilkhampton Common was gifted to Westland Countryside Stewards not long after the charity became established. Westland Countryside Stewards was set up with the aim of securing and managing land of environmental value in North Cornwall. Wherever possible, the aim is to make such land available for the benefit of the local community.

Before the charity took ownership, the land had been allowed to fall into a poor ecological condition. Public rights of way had been obstructed and cattle roamed free.

With years of hard work, community help and an ecological vision, the common is now a wildlife haven. Public and permissive accesses run throughout, allowing the local community to enjoy the wildlife on their doorstep. We aim to preserve the safe haven we have created for wildlife.

A haven for wildlife

Our staff work hard to maintain the common and complete surveys to ensure species are thriving. Endangered species such as harvest mice (Micromys minutus) have been released. Butterfly surveys completed from Mar-to-Oct show a range of species. This includes a number of rare butterflies such as the small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene). This butterfly has seen a huge decline over recent years.

Small pearl bordered fritillary

Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund we’ve been able to erect educational lecterns, which provide information about the flora and fauna on the common as well as maps to show where specific species might be seen.

Pond dipping on Kilkhampton common

Thanks to Cornwall Community Foundation we’re able to use the common for educational purposes where the public and schools can undertake activities such as tree surveys and pond dipping. The transformation of the land is significant and we appreciate seeing people enjoying the common and reconnecting with local nature.

Donations and volunteering

As with all charities, we rely on funding and the generosity of the public to continue our work. Therefore, any help you may be able to give is greatly appreciated. If you wish to donate to Westland Countryside Stewards or help out with volunteering opportunities please go to either our Just Giving page, our Big Give page or our donate page on our website.